Untreated scoliosis help

[Thecaravan]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with mild scoliosis when I was around 13 or 14 which was monitored for a couple of years but we were told it was mild and required no treatment so was discharged around 16/17 years old.
Anyway over the years (am now 40) I've had a few issues with my back but nothing major. Although have not had the Cobb angle measured since being a teen, Ive seen a couple of doctors over the last few years who have estimated a 70 degree curve and are shocked that it was never treated. My right ribcage sticks out a lot at the back and my left hip sticks out a lot. Really I hate the way my humpy side looks and hate my posture as even when I try to stand straight it still sticks out a lot. I'm a teacher and lots of kids ask what's wrong with my back which doesn't bother me, more just adds to the hump hatred Has anyone had an successful therapy to help with posture etc? Also it seems the curve must have got worse as an adult to have got to the stage it has, so is it worth seeing a specialist about halting the progression of it? Thank you!

Would you consider surgery?

Maybe not the route you want to take but I can only imagine how a 70 degree curve is affecting you. Anything over 30 is considered serious.

My daughter has very severe congenital scoliosis and has had about 25 operations over her lifetime, she still has a significant curve as hers is too serious to fix properly however what they have managed to do has massively increased her quality of life.

I have scoliosis (fairly mild) - I've never had a curve measurement though.
I can totally relate to the rib cage sticking out one side, and for me it's my pelvis on the same side too.
I've recently been seeing a chiropractor (for headaches) and she thinks it is all linked to my back problems which have got worse as I've got older! (35 now). My rib cage has twisted alongside the curve so it's a double whammy really and she does some manipulation but has recommended Pilates/yoga for stretching. I'm going with this as it seems to help.
I'm not sure scoliosis can get worse...maybe if posture isn't correct it would be worth looking at that first? Is your GP worth having a chat with?

Hi there thanks for your responses. Sorry for your daughter's surgeries sex - that must be very stressful. I think maybe pilates/yoga for general stretching might be worth a try. I really don't want surgery unless there's no option as I know adults dont respond as well to it as young people. Not sure about the curve progression to be honest- it's just it has obviously got worse since being a teen despite the dr at the time saying I'd stopped growing. Maybe a trip to the dr is necessary and see what they say. Am not based in the UK anymore and it's hard to know sometimes whether things like surgery are actually necessary or whether it's for insurance purposes.

I have a book called Wheat Belly By William Davis M.D. it suggests that bones are badly affected by wheat.

Maybe try cutting out the wheat in your diet for 6 weeks to see if there's any improvement. Dr Micheal Mosley says the same,( On the radio) to keep a food diary after you cut out certain foods.

Ooh that's interesting ppeat. Will have a look at that. Would struggle with no wheat (pizza ) but if it helps then would try anything!

They sell wheat free flour and lots of other products like pasta etc. now it's doable!

DH and I feel soo much better, no exhaustion or inexplicable rages, depression etc. when we're not eating wheat!

I'm GF now after a year, I'm not sure if it's helped my back pain but definitely my indigestion 😂😂

wine That's good! as we get older even our 'normal' foods could give us problems. I follow a relaxed Hay diet way of eating and don't eat wheat. I know by my back or joints when I haven't bothered!

Hi @Thecaravan
Just wondering how you got on. I've just been told I have Scoliosis, picked up accidentally. It has never bothered me. I'm in my 30's